MADURAI
Doctors at Aravind Eye Hospital here said that genetic analysis was revolutionising the diagnosis and treatment of Retinoblastoma, a type of eye cancer occurring that begins in the retina mainly among children.
Addressing the media ahead of the observation of Retinoblastoma Survivors’ Day at the hospital here on Saturday, Usha Kim, Head, Department of Orbit, Oculoplasty, Ocular Oncology, and Ocular Prosthetic Services at the hospital, said that the heritable variant of the disease occurred in roughly 40 % of the cases while the remaining were non-heritable.
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Highlighting that 140 types of mutations of ‘RB1 gene’ was found to be correlated to the disease across the globe, she said, “Of these, 20 variants of these mutations are found to be common among our population through tests done at our hospital.”
She said that by identifying the presence of these gene mutations through tests, the likelihood of a child developing Retinoblastoma could be predicted and diagnosed early. Citing an example, if a mother had Retinoblastoma accompanied by one of these gene mutations, then the likelihood of her child developing the disease was high.
“The child can be monitored early for the disease. With early diagnosis, we can treat the cancer without loss to vision,” she added.
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Highlighting that a white reflex on the pupil, squint eyes, or swelling and protrusion of the eyes could be symptoms of Retinoblastoma, she said that parents must immediately take their children to an ophthalmologist.
She said that genetic testing and all treatment related to Retinoblastoma were being offered free of cost to deserving people from socio-economically backward families through a donor-funded project called ‘Ring of Hope.’
According to her, the hospital had treated 5,976 eye cancer cases in the past 16 years, of which 1,097 were Retinoblastoma cases.